Newcastle plotting Wanyama swoop as fears grow over Tiote's future

Newcastle have placed Celtic’s Victor Wanyama on their list of potential targets after the midfielder’s impressive start to his Parkhead career.

The 20-year-old has been one of the big successes of the Celtic season so far since arriving from Belgian side Germinal Beerschot in a £1million deal last summer.

And with Newcastle looking increasingly likely to lose their star midfielder Cheik Tiote, Sportsmail understands Wanyama is being closely monitored to fill the potential gap at St James’ Park.

Target: Victor Wanyama (left) is wanted by Newcastle

Newcastle chief scout Graham Carr has received glowing reports on the Kenyan international’s form, the Premiership side having looked closely at Wanyama before Celtic made their move in the summer, only to decide against a bid.

Manager Alan Pardew voiced his concern over 25-year-old Tiote’s future earlier this month. Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea have all shown interest in the former FC Twente midfielder, who said: ‘I am flattered but there is nothing official. When teams such as Chelsea, City, Liverpool and United are interested in you it makes you think twice, but I love Newcastle.’

Sunderland and Aston Villa also checked out 20-year-old Kenyan Wanyama before his summer move to Celtic from Germinal Beerschott.

Since then, Wanyama has again caught the eye of Newcastle representatives sent north to check on loan keeper Fraser Forster and his name would come under consideration if Tiote, as expected, moves in January for a fee in excess of £20m.

Wanyama spoke of how his confidence has soared since being handed an extended run in the team and of his desire to make an Old Firm debut next week when Rangers visit Parkhead.

‘It would be nice to play because I
didn’t get off the bench last time. It’s the kind of game every player
wants to play in,’ he told the Celtic View.

In demand: Cheik Tiote (right) could leave Newcastle in January

‘The fans have shown very good support to us and myself. They are always behind us and I am very happy to have fans like that.

‘I want to give it my all for them so they are happy. If we keep our good form going, we will have a good chance because our confidence will be high.’

And after scoring his first goal for the club, a splendid effort in the recent win over Hearts, Wanyama added: ‘It was very good scoring my first goal and I was also happy because it was the winning goal. I gave my team three points and that felt nice.

‘I think it was a special goal and you can only score like that once. I don’t really practise shooting in training, especially not from that far, so I was very happy after it.’

Celtic manager Neil Lennon insists he is in the market to buy rather than sell in January and talks will continue this week with Fulham over a fee for Algerian central defender Rafik Halliche, who impressed on trial and is wanted on loan until the end of the season, with an option to buy built in.

The loss of Daniel Majstorovic for six weeks with a fractured cheekbone has heightened the need for defensive cover.

In the market: Celtic boss Neil Lennon

Celtic’s first priority is a deal for Maritimo’s Baba Diawara. The Parkhead club have also looked at Cliftonville striker Rory Donnelly, but the 19-year-old striker will meet Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish on Thursday.

Celtic have also informed Dundee United of their intention to speak to Scotland Under-21 star Scott Allan. Out of contract in the summer, the midfielder has attracted an offer of £400,000 from West Bromwich Albion, who are becoming impatient for an answer. Rangers remain favourites to sign the 20-year-old, however, with Ibrox the player’s preferred destination.

On the pitch, Lennon has warned his players to concentrate on Saturday’s home clash with Kilmarnock before thinking of next Wednesday’s crucial Old Firm match.

‘Seven wins in a row is good form, but it can go at any time and we have to be wary of that,’ the manager said. ‘The St Johnstone win was important because Rangers had won the day before and we wanted to keep our run going. We’ve done that and there is a positive feeling going into the game against Kilmarnock. They took two points off us at Rugby Park so, again, it’s a game we have to be wary of.

‘When we’re playing as well as we are, you look forward to coming into training and playing the games. Every game comes up with its own dangers and we have to make sure we don’t look too far ahead.’

Meanwhile, the emergence of Ki Sung Yueng continued last night when the Celtic star was named Korean Footballer of the Year.